30 Volunteer Ideas in Hawaii

Cultural Endeavors

Whether you love the arts, culture or fashion, get involved with these nonprofits that work to better the local community.

photo: courtesy HISAM

Hawaii State Art Museum

This non-profit museum is free to the public. It perpetuates of culture and the arts through various programs, including Second Saturday, a family oriented crafts day and Art Lunch artist lectures.

How to Help: Volunteers are needed to work at the reception desk, as well as help out at events like Third Friday and Second Saturday. Tasks range from assisting with craft projects to escorting children or working as a tour guide. The museum can find a spot for volunteers of all ages.

How to Give: Although the museum is state-funded, additional donations are necessary to run the many programs that the museum offers. Donations go directly towards keeping these programs free. Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel, St., second floor, Honolulu, HI 96813, 536-0300, hawaii.gov/sfca.

Interisland Terminal

Supporting creative producers, such as artists, filmmakers, designers, architects, who promote innovation through creativity, is the mission of Interisland Terminal. They present programs year-round in contemporary art, design and film and most recently promote community through its R&D site—a bookstore and café meant to engage its users with each other.

How to Help: Volunteers are welcome to help staff its R&D bookshop and café in Kakaako. Or ask to help with setting up equipment, and performing small maintenance and improvements.

How to Give: $200 pays for a month’s utilities and wi-fi at R&D, or honorariums for speakers for a program. $500 would help purchase a small printer, scanner or copier that can be shared. $1,000 would allow Interisland Terminal to fund a speaker from outside Hawaii, help pay for framing artwork or fund a summer intern. Interisland Terminal, 691 Auahi St., Honolulu, HI 96813, interislandterminal.org.

View our Service Learning at Heeia Fishpond video here.

Paepae o Heeia

This group is dedicated to restoring and preserving an 800-year-old Hawaiian fishpond, located in Heeia. The fishpond also supports cultural, educational and aquaculture programs throughout the year. At one time, Hawaii had 350 fishponds, but now the Heeia fishpond is only one of 50 still useable today.

How to Help: Participate in community workdays on second Saturdays to help remove mangrove and invasive limu and help rebuild the wall via traditional Hawaiian methods.